February 2012 finished out with above normal temperatures and precipitation across central and northeast South Dakota as well as west central Minnesota. The month was quite warm across northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota with average temperatures around 6 degrees above normal.Central and north central South Dakota were around 1 to 2 degrees above normal.After a string of dry months, February broke the cycle with above normal precipitation. Monthly precipitation was anywhere from a quarter inch to an inch and a quarter above normal for all locations.With a large storm system at the end of the month, snowfall amounts for February were above normal ranging from 8 to 17 inches.